Problem
Low birth weight
Other Names:
Underweight babyDysmaturity at birth
Nature:
Low birth weight (LBW) is defined by the World Health Organization as a birth weight of an infant of 2,499 g (5 lb 8.1 oz) or less, regardless of gestational age. Infants born with LBW have added health risks which require close management, often in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). They are also at increased risk for long-term health conditions which require follow-up over time.
Incidence:
Doctors from Boston University School of Medicine analyzed data on the birth weights of 2,555 adults. Compared with those who were larger at birth, people who weighed less than two and a half kilograms at birth were two and half times more likely to develop heart disease and one and a half times more likely to get diabetes. , Related Problems:
Multiple births Aggravates:
UnderweightPerinatal mortality Values:
LownessOverweight Subject(s):
Biosciences → GrowthSociety → Infants
Research, Standards → Measurement
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
G: Very specific problems Date of last update
06.03.2001 – 00:00 CET